The origin and promise of transition metal dichalcogenide hosted single photon emitters for quantum technologies

TL;DR

This paper critically reviews the atomistic origins of single photon emitters in transition metal dichalcogenides, analyzes their performance metrics, and discusses their potential and challenges for quantum technology applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive critique of existing theories, proposes a standardized characterization methodology, and highlights future requirements for TMDC-based SPEs in quantum tech.

Findings

Reviewed and critiqued existing proposals for SPE origins in TMDCs

Analyzed trends in figures of merit for TMDC-based SPEs

Proposed a standardized characterization methodology

Abstract

Single photon emitters (SPEs) are integral parts of several quantum technology implementations. Over the past decade or so, monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have emerged as one of the promising candidates for SPE platforms with attractive characteristics. To move ahead, it is necessary to understand the atomistic origin of SPEs in TMDCs - a topic which is highly debated with contradicting proposals. In this paper, we critically review these existing proposals to elucidate their origin. Further, we perform a critical trend analysis for different figures of merit of TMDC-based SPEs, and propose a characterization methodology to streamline the reporting process. Finally, we review several quantum technology implementations where solid state SPEs are being used, and identify the advancements required in TMDC-based SPEs for their successful adoption in these technologies.